Shot last week on a very cold damp morning but with decent winter light making fleeting appearances between thickening clouds, it had just started raining/sleet in the second shot. Iam a little undecided here as to which works the best, crisp light in the first but more mood/atmosphere in the second? which works best your you and why?... thoughts appreciated Shaun

Both are really good. However, I'm leaning slightly towards the first image. The tree stands out better in that one, thanks to the crisp colours and light. Also the shadows seem better pronounced in that one. But like I said I like them both.

#1 has the tree and cloud elements tangled together. If you could have gotten the first one with the tree in clear sky I think I would have liked that one better. If you had shot the first from oh say five steps to the left think it would have then been the better of the two. Not that they both arn't both very nice shots.

On further reflection I still like the second photo better because there is nicer light on the tree it seems to be coming from a bit lower angle and seems to be a bit less harsh. The foreground elements seem less contrasty and harsh even though the first has color tones that seem a tiny bit warmer. Next I like the light in the near portion of the valley it give some depth and detail there as well. Finely I like the light on the far hill in the background it gives the picture a bigger feel and with more apparent depth.